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Is a Minimally Invasive Surgery Right for You?

May 11, 2021
Is a Minimally Invasive Surgery Right for You?
The word surgery may seem daunting and cast a shadow of worry and anxiety over your head. Maybe you think of long recovery, complicated operations and extreme circumstances.

The word surgery may seem daunting and cast a shadow of worry and anxiety over your head. Maybe you think of long recovery, complicated operations and extreme circumstances. We’re here to help you reimagine surgery with Southdale ObGyn’s minimally invasive surgeries. When surgery is the best course of treatment, the outcome can be life-changing for patients. Here are a few frequently asked questions about minimally invasive surgeries, the procedures done at Southdale ObGyn and tips on how you can talk to your healthcare provider about your options. 

What is a minimally invasive surgery? 

A surgery is considered minimally invasive when you are able to go home the same day and return to normal activities within one to three weeks. Some benefits of this type of surgery are smaller incisions (in some cases none at all), shorter recovery and less pain. 

When would minimally invasive surgery be the right option? 

Minimally invasive surgery is an option for many gynecological conditions including heavy bleeding and pelvic pain. For example, one option for patients suffering heavy bleeding may be an endometrial ablation. Or for a patient experiencing pelvic pain, healthcare providers will determine the cause of that pain and if the cause can be treated best with surgery, that’s where the minimally invasive surgery option comes in. 

What minimally invasive surgeries does Southdale ObGyn offer and what do they treat? 

  • Endometrial Ablation is when the lining of the uterus (endometrium) is cauterized using a device placed through your vagina and cervix. This is done to stop or reduce heavy menstrual bleeding. 
  • Hysteroscopy is when the lining of the uterus is viewed through a small camera placed through the cervix and uterus. This is done to diagnose and treat causes of abnormal bleeding. 
  • Laparoscopy uses a small camera to operate inside your abdomen. This is often used for ovarian cysts, tubal or ectopic pregnancies, tubal ligation and pelvic pain or endometriosis. 
  • DaVinci Robotic Surgery is a special type of laparoscopic surgery that allows the surgeon to perform more difficult surgeries using the help of a surgeon-controlled robotic assistant. These procedures are often for bleeding, fibroids, endometriosis or prolapse. 
  • Hysterectomy is the removal of the entire uterus to treat multiple different menstrual problems. This can be performed vaginally, laparoscopically, abdominally or with a robotic assistant. 
  • Urinary Incontinence uses mesh tape under the urethra, like a hammock, to keep it in a normal position. This procedure helps prevent the involuntary release of urine. 

Frequent Patient Questions 

  • I’m having pain in my pelvic area. What could be wrong? Some causes of pelvic pain include ovarian cysts, endometriosis and uterine fibroids. At Southdale ObGyn, our surgeons will determine the cause of your pain and decide if surgery is the best option for you.
  • If a hysterectomy is recommended, what can I expect? With this procedure, the uterus is removed through small incisions. This does not require an overnight stay, and you’re able to return to normal activities within a few weeks. 
  • I’ve been leaking urine, what can be done? After an evaluation to determine the cause of your bladder leakage, a bladder sling is a viable option for many women. 
  • I have uterine fibroids, does that mean I need a hysterectomy? Not necessarily, but if you do, a laparoscopic or robot-assisted hysterectomy may be an option for you. Our surgeons use robotic tools to remove the uterus through small incisions 
  • I have a cyst on my ovary, do I need surgery? Most cysts will resolve on their own, but if surgery is necessary they can be removed laparoscopically through small incisions on the abdomen. 

When surgery is the right option for you, Southdale OBGYN offers minimally invasive procedures. These are done at our outpatient surgery centers adjacent to our office.